92-34 v Resolution #92-34
A Resolution of the City of Atlantic Beach
Urging the Continuation of Funding of the
St. John' s River (Mayport) Ferry
WHEREAS, the St. John' s River Ferry Service operated by the Florida
Department of Transportation for the benefit of the public is
a vital link in the AlA state road system, providing a method
of transportation across the mouth of the St. John' s River;
and
WHEREAS, the loss of the ferry would require a driver to experience
a 56-mile round trip to go from one side of the river to the
other at the Fort George/Mayport area; and
WHEREAS, the ferry provides not only routine transportation, but
also is a link for emergency vehicles, Navy personnel,
particularly when a Navy ship is utilizing Atlantic Marine and
other repair facilities, and tourists visiting the First Coast
area; and
WHEREAS, the threat of the loss of the ferry has been the cause for
business closings in the area and caused a depressed real
estate market, while permanent closure would result in severe
economic hardship in the area; and
WHEREAS, the fishing village of Mayport has been selected by the
Mayor of Jacksonville as one of the first areas to be
redeveloped under his "Neighborhood Economic Development
Initiative" , and the loss of the ferry would severely curtail
private investment in the area; and
WHEREAS, the ferry service is part of the Buccaneer Trail, that
part of AlA that links Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine
through the beach tourist area of Duval County, and the loss
of the ferry would isolate both the Mayport and Amelia Island
areas and decrease tourism traffic on the Buccaneer Trail; and
WHEREAS, tolls and user fees do not pay the total operating costs
for the vast majority of transportation networks or systems;
and
WHEREAS, an economic impact study has been commissioned as a
cooperative venture of a chamber of commerce task force and
the City of Jacksonville to place a realistic cost on the loss
of the ferry in terms of business closings and loss of sales
tax revenues.
..
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Atlantic Beach City
Commission supports continuation of state operation and state
funding for;
* Progress in redevelopment efforts in the village of Mayport
under the Mayor' s "Neighborhood Economic Development
Initiative" ;
* Significant progress on the "Wonderwood Connector" , which
will help open up the area; and
* Determining a long-range plan for the ferry service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Atlantic Beach City Commission
recommends that the Governor work with the Mayor and City Council
of Jacksonville to form a commission to make recommendations on the
operation, funding, and eventual privatization of the ferry
service.
ATTEST: i
116
Maureen King J Wi 1 am I. Gul ifo d,"
City Clerk Mayor / Presiding offi. -
,r,x1feer/ecl,